System, method, and service for delivering multimedia content by means of a permission to decrypt titles on a physical media

ABSTRACT

Enhanced multimedia content on physical media interacts with the user through a media player and the Internet. Enhanced multimedia utilizes IDs for pieces of content on the media and a media key block. On the enhanced media is a file with a list of URLs. As the enhanced media plays a title requiring an external permission for decryption, the media player accesses the URL for that title and obtains the permission. The permission may be purchased or provided for free. Secure encryption and transmission of permission is accomplished by broadcast encryption using a media key block. Each media has a unique set of keys that allow the media player to process the media key block; however, each media follows a unique path through the media key block. All legitimate media players obtain the media key; circumvention devices cannot decipher the media key block.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to physical storage or memory media. In particular, the present invention pertains to a media comprising enhanced portions of content enabled for use by an encrypted key provided by a third party such as a web service provider.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The entertainment industry is in the midst of a digital revolution. Music, television, and movies are increasingly becoming digital, offering new advantages to the consumer in quality and flexibility. At the same time, since digital data can be perfectly and quickly copied, the digital revolution also comprises a threat. If consumers may freely copy entertainment content and offer that content on the Internet, the market for entertainment content would evaporate.

Another issue faced by content owners is fraudulent manufacturing of media such as DVDs. DVDs are typically manufactured by replicators. On occasion, replicators producing these DVDs do overruns without telling the content owner, for example, a movie studio. After replicating the DVDs for the movie studio, the replicator runs an additional batch for sale on the black market. Movie studios at present have little control over the replicators. However, this source of fraud may be minimized if the DVD were encrypted in such a way that authorization was required before the DVD is played.

One conventional content encryption method encrypts the content on pre-recorded media. The content is enabled for play after the user purchases through an Internet transaction the right to play or otherwise use the content. This approach to content protection has been implemented in several conventional content protection schemes. IBM has implemented a method in which a CD-ROM disc was recorded with encrypted software for many different applications, which is referred to as CD Showcase. The CD-ROM disc was given away for free by mass mailings or at trade shows. After paying a fee, the user would be given a decryption key that would allow them to decrypt a particular application and install it on the system. The disc often contained free demonstration versions of the software that the user may preview, with the intent that the user might decide to purchase the fully featured version.

Another conventional content encryption method was used as a method for renting compact disks (i.e., CD or DVD) movies, implemented by the Divx Company. In one example, the DVD movies were encrypted on the disc using the triple-DES cipher. When the user played a movie, the DVD player may decrypt the content without external authorization from the rental company. However, the DVD player would periodically call a processing center and report the movies it had played.

The DVD player would not play movies if it was unable to call the processing center. The discs were sold for a rental fee and comprised one 48-hour viewing period. If the disc was played after the initial viewing period or if it were played on a DVD player other than the one authorized, these additional viewings would be charged to the user. This approach using content encryption method provided several advantages: the user did not have to return the “rental” disc after playing, and the period of free viewing did not start until the user played the disc. Consequently, the user may “rent” the disc at his convenience, i.e., on a Tuesday for later playing on Saturday night. However, this approach required a specialized DVD player that can call a specific processing system.

One of the shortcomings of both of these content encryption methods was that the cryptographic keys used were essentially global secrets. However, global secrets often do not remain secret very long. In one conventional application of the content encryption method, the global secret may be updated periodically for new discs as the DVD players connected to the processing center. However, the old discs were still compromised.

One approach to protecting copyrighted content on physical storage or memory media is to have the user connect to a web service provided on the Internet to authorize or purchase the content. A conventional approach for this connection is a public/private key system. A web service provider and the DVD player each have a public key. The DVD player and the web service provider handshake on a public/private key to verify the web service provider and the DVD player. The key would be delivered based on the handshake, establishing a secret key. However, the public key calculation is a complicated calculation and is difficult to perform. Furthermore, the handshake requires an active online connection, which may be inconvenient for the user.

What is needed is a system, a service, a computer program product, and an associated method for a content encryption method for pre-recorded physical media that is secure, is easily implemented, may be authorized by a transaction such as an Internet transaction, and can be allowed a deferred interaction with that processing center. The need for such a solution has heretofore remained unsatisfied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies this need, and presents a system, a service, a computer program product, and an associated method (collectively referred to herein as “the system” or “the present system”) for delivering enhanced multimedia content on physical media. The physical media comprises any portable memory or storage medium such as, for example, compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), flash memory, flash cards, etc. For exemplary purposes, the physical memory is referenced as a DVD.

The present system utilizes a unique ID, a media key block, and a set of special files burned on each DVD. Additional IDs may be provided for pieces of content on the DVD. Physical media with these IDs, media key block, and special files are referenced as enhanced media because of its ability to interact with the user through a media player and the Internet. On the enhanced media is a file with a list of uniform resource locators (URLs) for web sites on the WWW.

Following standard DVD video terminology, the disc comprises a number of titles, grouped into title sets. A title may correspond to a stand-alone piece of content or it may correspond to a particular path through the content. In other words, a single content file is associated with one or more titles; i.e., a title set. For example, a movie might contain both a PG version and an R version in a single title set, each as a different title (path). As the enhanced media plays a title requiring an external permission, the media player accesses the URL for that section and obtains the permission.

The DVD player playing the enhanced media connects to the Internet by means of a dial-up modem, cable modem, DSL, etc. Each DVD disc has a media key block. The DVD player connects to the uniform resource locator (URL) provided on the DVD in one of the special files. The present system does not use a “global secret” for encryption or perform a public/private handshake to establish a secret ID enabling the DVD player to play the content. Rather, the present system uses a recently developed encryption technique, broadcast encryption.

Fundamentally, broadcast encryption is based on a block of data on the media called a media key block. Each DVD player has a unique set of keys that allow the DVD player to process the media key block; however, each player follows a unique path through the media key block. All legitimate players end up with the result, the media key. However, if circumvention devices appear, newly released discs can be manufactured so that the circumvention devices, following their particular paths through the media key block, get the wrong answer. All innocent devices continue to correctly calculate the media key. Consequently, only the circumvention devices are excluded from the system.

The present system uses the media key block on the physical media as an aid to deliver content keys across the Internet, thereby avoiding a single global secret. A web service provider or other processing center delivers permission to play a title across the Internet. This permission is delivered in terms of an encrypted content key. If the title is just one of many paths through the content, the player may already know the content key as a result of having played another title. Nonetheless, the player must verify that it receives the correct content key before it proceeds to play the title. The media key protects this content key. In an embodiment, the media key is combined with the volume ID using a cryptographic hash, providing a disc unique key. The disc unique key is then encrypted in the various title keys on the disc, one for each set of titles. In another embodiment, the disc unique key is simply the media key.

The special files on the disc provide, for example, a URL for the web service provider. The integrity of this URL is very important. If a hacker or adversary corrupts the URL, the user can be sent to an alternate URL not representing the web service provider. Without adequate security or verification techniques for the DVD, hackers or adversaries might set up URLs for alternate web sites to obtain credit card information from the consumers. To ensure the integrity of the special files, the special files are cryptographically hashed and the results are XORed with the Internet content key before the content unique key encrypts the content key. The result is burned on the DVD.

Likewise, each title contains a notation whether or not it requires Internet permission before it can be played. In existing DVDs, the per-title information is stored in the “IFO” file. Therefore, the IFO file hash must also be part of the XOR protecting the content key, or else an attacker might be able to simply mark a title as not needing external permission.

The sequence and type of the calculations are somewhat arbitrary. For example, the disc unique key calculation might comprise the hash of the special files, or the content ID may be XORed with Internet content key. Likewise, XORs may be replaced by other operations such as addition or subtraction, without changing the net effect. Variations in the sequence and type of the calculations may be made as long as the end user cannot tamper with the content ID and the special files on the disc without disrupting the calculation.

The present system introduces improved cryptography in enhanced media, eliminating the need for a single global secret or public/private key exchanges. Enhanced media in the form of a DVD video might be used in a variety of business and marketing scenarios. For example, enhanced media might be used in a video rental format, where the user obtains a content-protected movie on DVD for free or a fee. When played on the user's DVD, the user's DVD player contacts a web service provider and the movie is enabled for a period of time specified by the web service provider. The enabling transaction may or may not involve a purchase. Additional features may be placed on the movie DVD that may be enabled for additional fees, for example.

As a promotional event, a DVD video movie might be given away free in the theater after a movie, for example. When played in the user's DVD player, the DVD player contacts a web service provider and the user may purchase the contents on the DVD. A conventional DVD might contain optional content that may be purchased through the web service provider, for example, a “director's cut” with additional scenes and director's comments already encrypted on the disc, but only available to the user for an additional fee.

Even if the bonus content is free, there is an advantage to the studios to ask the consumers to get it through the studio's Web site. This allows the studios to identify their actual consumers, to make them special offers, and to form electronic communities around certain movies.

Using a mechanism available in a DVD player, the enhanced media can offer to the user through the web service provider physical merchandise such as logo t-shirts, action figures, or other spin-off merchandise associated with, for example, a movie. As users enable certain features of a DVD through the web service provider either for free or for purchase, the content owners are able to monitor the actual usage of different features on the DVD. Content creators may then use this information to design future productions.

The present system is applicable to other types of content such as audio, gaming, and computer software, with corresponding similar applications. A DVD might contain software or a game console given away by a software manufacturer with demonstration models in addition to the full-featured software. The user may connect with the web service provider to purchase the full-featured software after trying the demonstration version. In addition, a game might contain extra features that are enabled after the user completes a transaction with the web service provider.

With unique IDs and a media key block on each DVD, content owners can verify each piece of content when the user connects to the web service provider. This feature allows content owners a method for combating fraud committed by replicators. As users connect with the web service provider to obtain features offered by the DVD, the content owner would know whether a replicator created extra copies because, for example, DVD IDs would be duplicated. The content owners would then have proof of the fraud and be able to better control production of the DVDs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will be described in greater detail with reference to the following description, claims, and drawings, wherein reference numerals are reused, where appropriate, to indicate a correspondence between the referenced items, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary operating environment in which an enhanced media system of the present invention can be used;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the high-level architecture of the enhanced media system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is comprised of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, and represents a process flow chart illustrating a method of operation of the enhanced media system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the high-level architecture of a content distribution system for enhanced media using an enhanced media system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a comprised of FIGS. 5A and 5B, and represents a process flow chart illustrating a method of creating and distributing enhanced media utilizing the enhanced media system of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 6 is comprised of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E, and represents a process flow chart illustrating a communication protocol between a web service provider and a media player utilizing the enhanced media system of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following definitions and explanations provide background information pertaining to the technical field of the present invention, and are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention without limiting its scope:

HTTPS (HyperText Transport Protocol Secure): Protocol for accessing a secure Web server.

Internet: A collection of interconnected public and private computer networks that are linked together with routers by a set of standard protocols to form a global, distributed network.

World Wide Web (WWW, also Web): An Internet client—server hypertext distributed information retrieval system.

Content: copyrighted media such as music or movies presented in a digital format on electronic devices.

FIG. 1 portrays an exemplary overall environment in which a system, method, and service for delivering enhanced multimedia content on physical media according to the present invention may be used. An enhanced media system 10 comprises a software programming code or a computer program product that is typically embedded within, or installed on an enhanced media 15, a media player 20 and a web service provider 25. Alternatively, enhanced media system 10 can be saved on a suitable memory or storage medium such as a diskette, a CD, a DVD, a hard drive, or like devices.

A media player 20 can access a web service provider 25 through a network 30. The media player 20 comprises software that allows the media player 20 to interface securely with the web service provider 25. The media player 20 comprises any compliant module that can verify the physical presence of media such as, for example, a disc. A compliant module is one that follows the usage rules that are cryptographically bound to that enhanced media 15. For example, a compliant recorder would not record content encoded “do not copy”. The media player 20 is connected to network 30 via a communications link 35 such as telephone, cable DSL, satellite link, etc. The web service provider is connected to the Internet through a communications link 40.

An enhanced media 15 may be played on the media player 20. The enhanced media 15 comprises enhanced functions that are extra functions available through Internet connectivity. These enhanced functions may be separately priced, or may be included in the original price of the disc. Some of the enhanced functions may require the media player 20 to participate in an interaction with the web service provider 25. The media player 20 can simply enable other enhanced functions.

Enhanced functions that may require the media player 20 to participate in an interaction with the web service provider 25 comprise:

-   -   enabling premium features, such as a soundtrack containing the         director's comments,     -   having a free promotional disc with optional paid content,     -   offering a disposable rental disc that the user does not have to         return after viewing,     -   providing usage counts of various features for feedback to the         content creators, and     -   providing a path for the user to pay for physical goods         associated with the content (such as logo merchandise).

The block diagram of FIG. 2 illustrates a high-level architecture for the enhanced media system. The enhanced media system 10 comprises a media key block 205, a content ID 210, a set of special files 215, and an encrypted content 220 on the enhanced media 15. The web service provider 25 comprises a content key 225. The media player 20 comprises a broadcast decryption module 235 and a verification module 240.

To play encrypted content 220, the media player 20 contacts the web service provider 25 to obtain the content key 225. The web service provider 25 encrypts the content key 225 using a disc unique key provided by the content creator. This disc unique key is derived from the media key in the media key block 205. The web service provider 25 may encrypt the content key itself, or it may be delivered already encrypted by the content creator. The web service provider 25 delivers the encrypted content 220 key 225 to the media player 20. The broadcast decryption module 235 of the media player 20 decrypts the encrypted content key 225 using the media key; this decrypted content key 225 allows the media player to play encrypted title 220.

Alternatively, in the case that the title is part of a set of titles for which the player already has the key, the web server 25 merely delivers a yes/no permission to play the title. This might happen, for example, if the title corresponds to bonus scenes in a “director's cut” of the movie, and the normal scenes are part of the freely playable content. It is important that the yes/no permission not be easily forged by an attacker. It is convenient to continue to deliver the permission as the actual content key 225. The player compares the content key against the one it already has. If they are equal, the permission is “yes”. It should be clear to persons skilled in the art, however, that many cryptographic values could serve as a secure permission signal, and all such approaches are within the scope of the present invention.

The special files 215 comprise an IFO file and a title usage file. The IFO file is a standard file in DVD video and contains the navigation information (the path) for each title. In this invention, the standard IFO file is augmented for each title with a notation that says whether or not playing the title requires external permission. The title usage keys file comprises information on how the media player 20 obtains permission to play encrypted title 220.

Media player 20 is required to have an Internet connection. Any standard Internet connection is allowed, for example, Ethernet, IEEE 1394, wireless, or dial-up modem with PPP protocol, etc. In addition, each player may contain non-volatile storage to save, for example account numbers and PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) that the user has with one or more content providers. For example, the user might go to the Warner Bros. Web site and set up an account. He enters that account number and PIN when playing bonus content on Warner Bros. movie discs. It is very possible that the bonus material is free; Warner Bros. would find value in simply identifying the end consumer for future selling opportunities.

The verification module 240 of the media player 20 calculates the hash of the content of each of the special files 215. These hashes are necessary to correctly decrypt the content keys 225. The actual keys are given to the player XORed with the hash, and then encrypted with the disc unique key K_(u). In other words, the player can calculate the enhanced key K_(n) from the encrypted data D_(n) as follows: K _(n) =AES _(—) D128(D _(n) , K _(u)){circle around (+)}AES _(—) hash(IFO){circle around (+)}AES _(—) hash(titleUsageFile)

Keys in the title usage file of special files 215 comprise instant or deferred types. Instant keys can be further marked “cacheable”. If an instant key is not in the cache of the media player 20, the media player 20 connects to the Internet to obtain the key from the web service provider 25 to continue playing the enhanced media 15. Obtaining the key may or may not require a purchase transaction.

Deferred keys allow the media player 20 to calculate the key without connecting to the web service provider 25. However, the media player 20 connects “at its convenience” to reset the “deferred” status. For example, the frequency of connection for deferred keys may be set by user preference during set-up of the media player 20. A media player 20 may elect to treat a deferred key as an instant key based on, for example, previously stored user preferences.

An exemplary form of the programming lines within the title usage file of special files 215 is as follows: <nn><url>[CACHEABLE|DEFERRABLE][[<price>]<maximum price>] Each line begins with the number (or other identification) of the title to which it applies. The second element is the URL of the service center that provides the permission. The URLs begin https://. The optional price is “currency:nnn”, for example, “USD1.00”. If the price is offered in multiple currencies, they are listed in brackets, for example: “{USD2.00 YEN150}”. The price field may be omitted if the key is free, or if the price of the key is revealed to the user when the media player 20 connects to the web service provider 25.

In an embodiment, the deferred key allows the user to play enhanced media 15 immediately with an implicit understanding that the user will pay for the viewing of enhanced media 15 later. The user is essentially operating a credit account with the content provider, managed by the web service provider 25. If the content owner charges for a deferred key, the title usage file may comprise the price for the deferred key. To protect the user, the price cannot be revealed later when the player connects. Otherwise, the user may be playing enhanced media 15 expecting one charge and find another when the media player 20 later connects to the web service provider 25.

In addition, deferred keys with a price have a maximum accumulated value, to protect the content provider. If the price of a deferred key plus the prices of all previous deferred keys whose URLs have the same domain name (even keys from other discs) exceeds a pre-determined maximum accumulated value, the media player 20 shall connect immediately to the web service provider 25 and process all the deferred transactions. This protects the content provider from a user that might accumulate a large debt that the content provider cannot collect. If the transactions are not successful for whatever reason, the media player 20 shall not process the current deferred key.

A key may be marked as “cacheable”, “deferrable”, or neither. Normally, the media player 20 shall remember a key until the media player 20 powers off, the enhanced media 15 is ejected, or the playing of the enhanced media 15 reaches a navigation branch requiring a user interaction. Functions of the media player 20 such as rewind, fast forward, and chapter skips shall not cause keys to be deleted. In addition, if the key is denoted as “cacheable”, the media player 20 may optionally remember the key for a longer time. Remembering the key may make the user interactions run more smoothly. If the key is remembered, the media player 20 deletes the key at its convenience. If the key is stored encrypted in the cache using the broadcast decryption module 235, the cache need not have special security.

If the key is marked “deferrable”, the actual content key 225 must be present on the disc. This is typically stored on the disc encrypted by the media key, but how it is stored is outside the scope of this invention. The media player 20 shall then securely store the key number, price (if any), URL, title ID, and media ID for later communication to the web service provider 25. Deferred keys are not cached. If they are needed a second time, the media player 20 shall treat it as a new deferral instance. Based on the business model of the web service provider 25, the web service provider 25 may not charge for subsequent deferrals. However, the media player 20 assumes that the web service provider 25 does charge for subsequent deferrals when determining maximum deferred price has been reached.

The first time the media player 20 is asked to play a section that is encrypted with a priced key of any type, it stops, displays the price, and gets positive confirmation from the user before proceeding. This confirmation may ask the user to select the account number, if more than one is stored in the media player 20. This confirmation may also comprise parental control interactions, if the media player 20 supports them and the user has configured them. If the price is offered in more than one currency, the media player 20 may ask the user to select, or it may automatically select one, for example, based on previously stored user preferences.

The process flow chart of FIG. 3 (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C) illustrates an exemplary method 300 for a user playing an enhanced media 15 on a media player 20. A user inserts the enhanced media 15 in the media player 20 at step 302. The media player 20 reads the media key block 205, special files 215, and content ID 210 at step 304. The media player 20 starts to play the enhanced media 15 at step 306.

The media player 20 presents a menu of options is presented to the user from enhanced media 15 at step 308. There may be certain choices a user can select from the menu of the enhanced media 15 that involve a fee. For example, the enhanced media 15 might be a promotional movie disc given away for free. A movie trailer, a two-minute advertisement for the movie, might play for free for the user. If the user wishes to play the entire movie, he purchases the movie by selecting that option on the menu. The “purchase movie” option requires a transaction with the web service provider 25.

In another example, a user attends a movie at a theater and receives a copy of an enhanced DVD that is not yet playable. The user may view the enhanced DVD and purchase the movie when it is later released to DVD. The user does not have to go to a store and purchase the movie, and the motion picture studio improves sales for its DVD movie. The same concepts may be applied to software, games, etc.

The user selects an option from the menu at step 310. At decision step 312, the media player 20 determines whether the selected option requires external connection to the web service provider 25 to obtain permission. If permission is not required for the selected option, the media player 20 plays enhanced media 15 (step 314). If permission is required to play the enhanced content on the enhanced media 15, the media player 20 connects to the web service provider 25 at step 316 (FIG. 3B) based on a URL provided by the special files 215 in the enhanced media 15.

The web service provider 25 states an offer to the media player 20 at step 318; the offer comprises price, other fees, other features, offerings, etc. The enhancement requested by the user may be offered for free. The requirement by the content owner to obtain permission from the web service provider 25 to play this enhanced content on the enhanced media 15 may be used to gauge which features on the enhanced media 15 users are selecting. The content owner may then use this information when designing future products. Alternatively, the media player 20 may present the price or fee to the user on the menu, before connecting to the web service provider 25. After receiving the offer from the web service provider 25, the media player 20 presents this offer to the user at step 320.

The user may accept or reject offerings from the web service provider 25 at decision step 322. If the user rejects the offering, the media player does not play the enhanced media portion (step 324). If the user accepts the offering, the media player 20 sends account information to the web service provider 25 at step 326. Alternatively, the user may send certificate IDs, coupon IDs, or any other information that the web service provider 25 and content owner have agreed is adequate exchange for the authorization to play the enhanced content on the enhanced media 15.

Upon receipt of required information from the media player 20 to complete the transaction, the web service provider 25 returns an encrypted content 225 key, K_(n), at step 328. The broadcast decryption module 235 of the media player 20 processes the media key block 205 to obtain the media key at step 330 (FIG. 3C). From that, the media player 20 can calculate the disc unique key. The broadcast decryption module 235 then uses the derived disc unique key at step 332 to decrypt the encrypted content 220 key, K_(n), obtaining the content key 225 required to play the enhanced content on the enhanced media 15.

If the player already knows the content key 225, it compares then newly calculated version with the existing one in step 334. If they are not equal, permission has not been granted, and the player exits to not play the content in 335. If they are equal, or if the player did not previously have the content key, it proceeds to step 336.

The verification module 240 of the media player 20 then verifies that the special files 215 have not been modified at step 336. Without the required verification of the special files 215, an adversary or hacker might, for example, modify the special files 215 containing the URL of the web content provider 25. The hacker might then be able to authorize playing of premium enhanced content either for free, or diverting payments for premium enhanced content from the content owner to the hacker. Verifying the special files 215 at step 336 ensures that the files comprising the URL of the web service provider 25 have not been corrupted or modified.

If the special files 215 have been modified (decision step 338), an error in the enhanced media 15 has occurred. If the media player 20 determines that an error is due to errors originating from the enhanced media 15 or the web service center 20, the media player 20 follows the “key error” path in the navigation of the enhanced media 15 at step 340. Content owners may provide such a path to point the user to technical support.

Once the web service provider 25 has obtained the necessary fees or information and the secret files have been verified, the transaction is complete. The media player 20 may then play the enhanced content on the enhanced media 15 (step 342). The use of the media key block 205 in the context of broadcast encryption allows the method 300 to proceed securely without an exposure of a system due to a global secret ID or the difficulties of a system using a public/private handshake.

The media player 20, web service provider 25, and enhanced media 15 operate within the context of a content distribution model 400, illustrated by the block diagram of FIG. 4. The content distribution model 400 comprises the content owner 405, the licensing agency 410, the media player manufacturer 415, the disc replicator 420, the web service provider 25, and the user 425. The licensing agency 410 manages content licenses for the content owner 405. As such, the licensing agency 410 provides a set of media key blocks 430 to the content owner 405 for encryption of content on enhanced media 15. The content owner 405 uses the media blocks 205 to encrypt content keys. Encrypted content keys 435 for content that does not require interaction with the web service provider 25 are imbedded in the content provided to the disc replicator 420. Encrypted content keys 440 are provided to the web service provider 25 for content that requires interaction with the web service provider 25.

The licensing agency 405 provides a set of device keys 445 to the media player manufacturer 415. The device keys 445 provided to the media player manufacturer 415 represent a license from the content owner 405 allowing the media player 20 manufactured by the media player manufacturer 415 to play content produced by content owner 405. The media player manufacturer 415 provides a subset of device keys 450 from the set of device keys 445 to each media player 20. The media player 20 uses the device keys 450 to decrypt the media key block 205.

FIG. 5 (FIGS. 5A, 5B) illustrates a method 500 for encrypting and distributing content by the content owner. The content owner 405 designs a content plan for a production of enhanced media 15 at step 505. The content owner 405 creates the content and divides it into different parts. The content owner 405 also, for example, determines which titles (paths) in the content are provided for within the purchase price of the enhanced media 15 and which parts are features that either require additional fees or interaction with the web service provider 25.

The content owner 405 randomly picks content keys for each title set of the content on the enhanced media 15 at step 510. At step 515, the content owner 405 selects a media key block 205 from the set of media key blocks 430 provided by the licensing agency 410. The content owner 405 encrypts the content keys for the title sets on the enhanced media 15 using the media key block 205 at step 520.

The content owner 405 places some of the encrypted content keys 435 on the enhanced media 15 at step 525. The remaining encrypted content keys 440, as well as some or all of the content keys 435, are provided to the web service provider 525 at step 530 to exchange with the user 425, for example, for fees or information.

The disc replicator 420 replicates the enhanced media 15 at step 535 (FIG. 5B) and optionally inserts a unique ID on each enhanced media 15. Enhanced media 15 is then distributed to users such as user 425 at step 540 through, for example, sales or promotional events. The user 425 plays enhanced media 15 on the media player 20 at step 545. Processing for the enhanced media 15 proceeds as described by method 300 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 (FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E) is a process flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 600 of communication between the media player 20 and the web service provider 25. The user 425 views a menu presented by enhanced media 15, agrees with the price noted in the menu for a particular title of enhanced content and asks the media player 20 to play that title. The media player 20 finds that the permission for that title is not in the cache of the media player 20 at step 602. The media player 20 then locates the record for the desired title in the title usage file at step 604.

The media player determines whether the content key is marked “deferrable” at decision step 606. If the content key is not marked “deferrable”, the media player 20 connects to the Internet at step 608. The media player 20 then performs an HTTPS POST to the web service provider 25 at the URL found in the record for the content key (step 610).

In this example, the post data that the media player 20 sends to the web service provider 25 is the following format, in readable ASCII: key=<n> titleId=<titleId> [mediaId=<mediaId>] media player Id=<media player Id> [language=<language>] [price= account=<accountNo> pin=<pin>]

The price and account information are omitted if the content key does not have a price in the title usage file. The media ID line is omitted if the enhanced media 15 does not have a unique media ID. The “language” line may be omitted.

The present invention also contemplates the protocol being HTTP POST instead of HTTPS POST. In this case, the security aspects of HTTPS are replaced with security based on the media key. HTTPS provides two values in this application: encrypts the user's account information so it cannot be waylaid by an eavesdropper, and it prevents a “replay attack” where the attacker just records a previous permission and plays it back as if it were a new permission. The former is solved by encrypting the user's account information in a key based on the media key. The latter is solved by adding a “nonce=<random>” line to the POST data, whose variable data is a random number generated by the player. In addition, a hash of the entire POST data needs to be included XOR calculation described previously.

If the user 425 has expressed a language preference to the media player 20, the media player 20 can use the “language” line to communicate that preference to the web service provider 25. The web service provider 25, in turn, may use that preference to format potential error messages. In this example, the language is denoted with the English name for the language, for example, “English”, “Japanese”, “Spanish”, “Mandarin”, etc.

The IDs are in readable hexadecimal, for example, with “a-f′” in lower case. The price is copied from the appropriate line in the title usage file. The title number, account number, and PIN in readable decimal. There are no white-space characters except for the ending line feed character.

The web service provider 25 responds to the POST from the media player 20 at step 614. The web service provider 25 determines whether the title is offered for sale at decision step 616 (FIG. 6B). If not, the permission is free, and the web service provider 25 returns the encrypted content key to the media player at step 618. The encrypted content key is given, for example, in readable hexadecimal, encrypted as “key=<D_(n)>\n”.

The web service provider then determines at decision step 620 if user 425 previously purchased the encrypted content key, as might occur if the content key had fallen out of the cache of the media player 20. If so, the web service provider 25 transmits the key without demanding payment at step 618. However, web service provider 25 may use its own criteria in determining if a key has been previously purchased and can be given again for free. For example, web service provider 25 might use the media ID, the ID of the media player 20, the account number of user 425, or some combination of these values.

If the encrypted content key for the selected enhanced media has not been previously purchased (decision step 620), the media player 20 returns the price for the encrypted content key to the user 425 at step 622. The media player 20 then waits for confirmation from the user 425 before proceeding (step 624). If at decision step 626 the user does not confirm the purchase, the media player 20 does not play the enhanced content at step 628. If the user 425 confirms the purchase at decision step 626, the media player 20 shall repeat the transaction, this time transmitting the credit card information of user 425 at step 630 (FIG. 6C). The format for the price is the same as in the title usage file: “price=<price>\n”.

Based on the account information transmitted by the media player 20, the web service provider 25 has the option of accepting or rejecting the transaction at decision step 632. If the transaction is rejected, the web service provider returns an explanatory message to the media player 20 such as “credit card is expired” at step 634. The media player 20 does not play the enhanced content at step 636. Unlike the ASCII responses from the web service provider 25 to the media player 20, explanatory responses are in Unicode. The method by which the media player 20 handles this response is specific to the media player 20. If the web service provider 25 accepts the transaction, the encrypted content key is returned to the media player at step 638.

If at decision step 606 the desired content key is a deferred key, the media player 20 can play the enhanced content immediately at step 640 (FIG. 6D); payment to the web service provider 25 for that enhanced content is deferred. The media player 20 records the price for the enhanced media and the URL associated with the deferred key at step 642. If the current time is not convenient for performing deferral transactions at decision step 644, the media player waits at step 646 for a time convenient to the media player 20 and the user 425. At a convenient time, the media player 20 batches together any other deferrals in a single post by concatenating the post data for the same URL at step 648.

The media player 20 then connects to the Internet at step 650 and sends the HTTPS POST as before (step 652). The media player 20 transmits data from user 425 to the web service provider 25 at step 654 (FIG. 6E). The web service provider 25 responds to the post at step 656. If deferrals have been batched together, the web service provider 25 likewise concatenates the responses to the media player 20 (step 656).

If no error occurs in the response at decision step 656, the web service provider 25 has returned the normal response, “key=<D_(n)>”. This response causes the media player 20 to reset the deferred status of the deferred key. At step 660. If a web service provider 25 responds to a free deferred key request with the “price=” response, this is a web service provider 25 error at decision step 658. Consequently, the media player 20 shall treat this response as if a “key=” response was received, and reset the deferred status of the deferred key. If any other error occurs in the response, the media player 20 shall not reset the deferred status of the key at step 662.

The media player 20 determines response to errors if there is a syntax error in any of the required files or if any other error occurs with one exception. If the media player 20 calculates a deferred key, but is unable to decrypt successfully using that deferred key, the media player 20 shall delete this instance from its current deferred key storage.

It is to be understood that the specific embodiments of the invention that have been described are merely illustrative of certain applications of the principle of the present invention. Numerous modifications may be made to a system, method, and service for delivering enhanced multimedia content on physical media described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, while the present invention is described for illustration purpose only in relation to the WWW, it should be clear that the invention is applicable as well to, for example, to an intranet, a wide area network, or any other network in which devices may interconnected for communications purposes. 

1. A method of delivering multimedia content on a physical media, comprising: placing at least one media key block on the physical media; dividing the multimedia content on the physical media into a plurality of titles encrypted with one or more encryption keys; encrypting the encryption keys with a key derived from the media key block; and delivering a permission to decrypt at least one of the titles to a player of the physical media.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the permission comprises delivering an encrypted title key.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering the permission comprises delivering the permission over a network.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the permission is associated with a price related to the use of the title.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising delivering the price concurrently with the permission.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining the price when the permission is delivered.
 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising associating the permission with a maximum price.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising preventing playback of the title if the maximum price is reached.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the player sending an account number to obtain the permission.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the player sending a personal identification number along with the account number.
 11. A method of playing a multimedia content on a physical media, comprising: identifying individual encrypted titles on the physical media; identifying a media key block on the physical media; receiving a permission; validating the permission using an encryption key derived from the media key block; and decrypting and playing one or more individual titles on the physical media.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the permission comprises an encrypted title key.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the permission comprises receiving the permission over a network.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving over the network comprises receiving a secure protocol; and wherein the secure protocol is based on a key derived from the media key block.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the permission is associated with a price related to the playback of the title.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising delivering the price concurrently with the permission.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining the price when the permission is delivered.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising associating the permission with a maximum price.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising preventing playback of the title if the maximum price is reached.
 20. A computer program product having instruction codes for delivering multimedia content on a physical media, comprising: a first set of instruction codes for placing at least one media key block on the physical media; a second set of instruction codes for dividing the multimedia content on the physical media into multiple titles; a third set of instruction codes for preparing a permission based on a key derived from the media key block; and a fourth set of instruction codes for delivering the permission to a player of the physical media.
 21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the fourth set of instruction codes delivers the permission over a network.
 22. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the permission is associated with a price related to the use of the title.
 23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the fourth set of instruction codes delivers the price concurrently with the permission.
 24. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the fourth set of instruction codes further determines the price when the permission is delivered.
 25. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the fourth set of instruction codes associates the permission with a maximum price.
 26. The computer program product of claim 25, further comprising a fifth set of instruction codes for preventing playback of the title if the maximum price is reached.
 27. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the delivery over the network involves a secure protocol; and further comprising a the secure protocol being based on a key derived from the media key block.
 28. A computer program product of playing a multimedia content on a physical media, comprising: a first set of instruction codes for identifying individual titles on the physical media; a second set of instruction codes for identifying a media key block on the physical media; a third set of instruction codes for receiving a permission; a fourth set of instruction codes for validating the permission using a encryption key derived from the media key block; and a fifth set of instruction codes for decrypting and playing one or more individual titles on the physical media.
 29. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the third set of instruction codes receives the permission over a network.
 30. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the reception over the network involves a secure protocol; and further comprising a sixth set of instruction codes for implementing the secure protocol using a key derived from the media key block.
 31. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the permission is associated with a price related to the playback of the title.
 32. The computer program product of claim 31, further comprising a seventh set of instruction codes for delivering the price concurrently with the permission.
 33. The computer program product of claim 31, further comprising an eight set of instruction codes for determining the price when the permission is delivered.
 34. The computer program product of claim 28, further comprising a ninth set of instruction codes for associating the permission with a maximum price.
 35. The computer program product of claim 34, further comprising a tenth set of instruction codes for preventing playback of the title if the maximum price is reached.
 36. A service for delivering multimedia content on a physical media, comprising: a placement of at least one media key block on the physical media; a division of the multimedia content on the physical media into multiple titles; a permission calculated based on a key derived from the media key block; and a delivery of the permission to a player of the physical media.
 37. The service of claim 36, wherein the delivery of the permission comprises delivery over a network.
 38. The service of claim 37, wherein the permission is associated with a price related to the use of the title.
 39. The service of claim 38, further comprising a delivery of the price concurrently with the permission.
 40. The service of claim 39, further comprising a determination of the price when the permission is delivered.
 41. The service of claim 38, further comprising an association of the permission with a maximum price.
 42. The service of claim 41, further comprising a prevention of playback of the title if the maximum price is reached.
 43. The service of claim 37, wherein the delivery over the network involves using a secure protocol; and wherein necessary data for the secure protocol are derived from the media key block.
 44. A service of playing a multimedia content on a physical media, comprising: an identification of individual titles on the physical media; an identification of a media key block on the physical media; a reception of a permission key; a validation of the permission using an encryption key derived from the media key block; and a decryption and playback of one or more individual titles on the physical media.
 45. The service of claim 44, wherein the reception of the permission comprises a reception over a network.
 46. The service of claim 45, wherein the reception over the network involves a secure protocol; and further comprising necessary data for the secure protocol being derived from the media key block.
 47. The service of claim 44, wherein the permission is associated with a price related to the playback of the title.
 48. The service of claim 47, further comprising a delivery of the price concurrently with the permission.
 49. The service of claim 47, further comprising a determination of the price when the permission is delivered.
 50. The service of claim 44, further comprising an association of the permission with a maximum price.
 51. The service of claim 50, further comprising a prevention of playback of the title if the maximum price is reached.
 52. A system for playing a multimedia content on a physical media, comprising: the physical media comprising individual titles and a media key block; a player for receiving a permission to play at least one of the individual titles; a validation module of the player for validating the permission using a encryption key derived from the media key block; and a decryption module of the player for decrypting said at least one or more individual titles on the physical media.
 53. The system of claim 52, wherein the player receives the permission over a network.
 54. The system of claim 53, wherein the reception over the network involves a secure protocol; and wherein the player implements the secure protocol using a key derived from the media key block.
 55. The system of claim 52, wherein the permission is associated with a price related to the playback of the title. 